Neuron 2.1.0 Release: Support Sparkplug B Specification, Better Industrial Protocol Support

Recently, Neuron 2.1.0 was officially released. This is the first sub-version of Neuron after open source. The core code is refactored on the basis of v2.0.0, and the product stability is improved through the lock-free core. In addition, Neuron 2.1.0 has also completed the integration with the edge streaming engine eKuiper, realizing one-stop edge data collection and processing. The newly added Sparkplug B specification support and multiple driver plug-ins also provide greater convenience for Neuron users to build an industrial IoT platform that conforms to the development trend of the Industry 4.0 era.

The front-end code of Neuron is now open source, please refer to: https://github.com/emqx/neuron-dashboard

Neuron 2.1.0 download address: https://neugates.io/downloads

Comprehensively improve stability and ease of use

The newly released v2.1.0 core adopts the Actor mode. In this mode, all Datatag (data tag) operations will be converted into corresponding message types, and messages will be delivered to the corresponding message processing queue through NNG for sequential processing, which solves the problem of old In the version, the program crash problem caused by interlocking between threads has improved the device access performance and the stability has been greatly improved.

In addition, Neuron 2.1.0 unifies the data structures used, such as HASH TABLE, LIST, ARRAY, etc., and simplifies project-related dependency libraries and header files. Users will be able to participate in the Neuron project more easily. Its secondary development.

At the same time, issues that previously did not work with lower kernel versions of Linux have also been improved, and Neuron 2.1.0 also works on lower end devices.

Realize one-stop industrial data acquisition and processing

Neuron 2.1.0 implements integration with the edge streaming engine eKuiper.

Users no longer need to manually deploy MQTT Broker as data transfer through the cumbersome configuration process, they can directly access eKuiper in Neuron to perform real-time streaming and function calculation on the collected data, and can also counter-control Neuron in eKuiper connected device.

The interface of the two products has also achieved an integrated seamless integration. The installation package of Neuron 2.1.0 is configured with a connection to eKuiper 1.5.1 by default. Users only need to find the default data-stream-processing application node card in the northbound application management on Neuron's Dashboard, subscribe to the required Group, and record in the data The stream processing module adds rules that need to be processed by eKuiper to process and clean data. Provide high-quality data sources for the cloud platform through a simplified usage process, reducing the pressure of cloud data processing.

For specific usage, please refer to the official documentation to get started quickly .

Supports Sparkplug B specification

Sparkplug B is a specification based on MQTT 3.1.1 on the information subject and information content format according to the characteristics of applications in the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) field. Sparkplug B makes the MQTT network state-aware and interoperable while ensuring flexibility and efficiency, providing a unified shared data structure for device manufacturers and software providers.

From version 2.1.0, Neuron officially supports the Sparkplug B specification, which means that devices that do not support MQTT will also be able to indirectly implement MQTT communication through Neuron.

In addition, devices and sensors at the network edge can communicate with SCADA systems, Historians and analytics programs, etc. via Sparkplug B.

Neuron, which supports Sparkplug B, will help users in the industrial field to achieve unified data access for various industrial equipment, build an industrial data information platform center with a unified namespace, and accelerate the process of Industry 4.0.

Better industrial protocol support

Neuron 2.1.0 also added several driver plugins, and optimized some protocol support.

• ASHRAE BACnet/IP: A communication protocol for building automation and control networks designed to enable communication between building control systems and can be used for heating, ventilation and air conditioning control (HVAC), lighting control, access control and fire detection systems and Its related equipment and other applications.
• KNXnet/IP: The world-renowned smart building protocol that allows overall building control, including lighting, heating, motors, access control, security, energy, and audio/video, through a single input.

• DL/T645 and DL/T645 over tcp: multi-function electric energy meter communication protocol standard, used to unify and standardize the physical connection and protocol when the multi-function electric energy meter and data terminal equipment exchange data. At present, there are mainly two versions: DL/T645-97 and DL/T645-07. Neuron 2.1.0 supports DL/T645-07.

  Note: The option to connect via TCP is also provided to remotely utilize DTU connections.

• Modbus RTU: Added Modbus RTU serial port support, users can use DTU to access devices, usually connect Modbus slave devices through RS485/232/422 ports, and most of the networking methods are based on TCP transparent transmission.
• Modbus TCP custom driver: The data packet length description field of Modbus regular communication mode is one byte, and the maximum length of the Modbus TCP data packet is limited to 256B. The newly added custom driver expands the data packet length description field to two bytes. The maximum length of the collected data packet is 64KB.
• New features of IEC 104: Added support for the processing of active data reporting by devices, which improves the efficiency of IEC 104 collecting data points.

future plan

In order to facilitate the secondary development of the driver plug-in, we will provide the SDK development kit in version 2.2.0. Other product features will also be continuously optimized. Welcome to submit an issue or pr on GitHub to participate in the Neuron open source project.

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Original link: https://www.emqx.com/zh/blog/neuron-v-2-1-0-release-notes